Grille tender

Abstract

An assemblage for intermittently angularly advancing a rotary grille having a motor-driven spit operatively associated therewith is provided. The assemblage includes an elongated tang supported from a spring clip for lengthwise adjustable positioning of the tang relative to the clip. The spring clip is of a configuration to releasably clampingly engage one end of the aforementioned motor-driven spit for rotation therewith and with the tang extending generally radially of the associated motor-driven spit. The assemblage is supported from the spit adjacent one end thereof over one peripheral portion of the grille and the longitudinal positioning of the tang relative to the clip is such to enable the free end of the tang to project downwardly through an opening of the grille defined between adjacent grille bars or members thereof and to engage one of the grille bars or members each time the free end of the tang swings through it lowermost arc segment as a result of rotation of the spit. Thus, each time the free end of the tang swings through its lowermost arc of rotation, the associated rotary grille will be angularly advanced. In this manner, the grille is intermittently angularly advanced and food placed upon the grille for cooking thereon by cooking heat energy beneath the grille will be orbited about the axis of rotation of the grille and experience more even heat throughout the total cooking time.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 
     
       1. In combination, a broiler of the type including a horizontally disposed rotary grille mounted for rotation about an upstanding axis centrally disposed relative to the plan area of said grille and including sets of grille bars crossed relative to each other, a horizontal elongated motor-driven spit mounted above and extending across said grille, and an elongated drive member transversely mounted on said spit for rotation therewith and including one end portion projecting endwise outwardly from the spit a distance greater than the vertical spacing between said grille and spit engageable with successive grille bars of said grille upon swinging movement of said one end portion of said drive member through its lowermost arc of travel to intermittently angularly advance said grille each time said one end portion swings through said lowermost arc. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive member one end portion is in the form of a blade end portion disposed in a plane generally paralleling said spit. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said drive member one end portion includes a rounded terminal end. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 3 wherein at least said one end portion of said drive member is constructed of stiff but somewhat flexible and resilient material. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive member and spit include coacting means releasably mounting said drive member from said spit and adjustable positioning along the latter. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said coacting means include a spring clamp from which said drive member is supported releasably clampingly and slidably engaged with said spit. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said spring clamp defines a generally C-shaped body clamped over said spit. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said C-shaped body opens toward said one end portion of said drive member. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said clamp and drive member include coacting means supporting said drive member from said clamp for lengthwise adjustable positioning of said drive member relative to said clamp.